Geography of Pakistan

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The Geography of Pakistan[1] features a diverse array of landscapes, including plains, deserts, forests, and plateaus, extending from the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean in the south to the towering mountains of the Karakoram, Hindukush, and Himalayas in the north. Geologically, Pakistan straddles both the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, with its Sindh and Punjab provinces located on the northwestern corner of the Indian plate. In contrast, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and most of the region known as Pakistan illegally occupied Jammu-Kashmir (Gilgit-Baltistan) fall within the Eurasian plate, which includes the Iranian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau to the north.

Pakistan shares borders with Iran to the west, Afghanistan to the northwest, China to the northeast through Pakistan illegally occupied Jammu-Kashmir, Republic of India to the east, and the Arabian Sea to the south. The nation is situated in a geopolitically sensitive area characterised by hostile regional boundaries, marked by territorial disputes and historical tensions, notably the Kashmir conflict with India, which has resulted in several military confrontations between the two countries.

The western borders of Pakistan feature significant passes such as the Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, which have historically served as vital migration and trade routes connecting Central Eurasia with Indian Subcontinent. These routes have facilitated cultural exchanges, military invasions, and commercial activities for centuries.

Regional Classification[edit]

The classification of Pakistan within the Indian subcontinent continues to provoke debate and controversy due to its complex historical, geographical, ethnic, and cultural ties to India, as well as its connections to Central Asia and the Middle East. Many in Pakistan view their country as a blend of Indian subcontinental, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures, arguing against a strict classification that solely situates them within the Indian subcontinent. Such rigid categorisations are often seen as contributing to ethnic tensions among different communities within the country, as they may undermine the recognition of their diverse heritage.

A notable illustration of the complex dynamics within Pakistan's identity is the designation of Urdu as the country's official language. Urdu originated as the native language of the Muhajirs, a community that migrated from India to the newly created Pakistan following the Partition of India in 1947. Today, the Muhajirs constitute approximately 7-9% of Pakistan's population. By adopting Urdu as the official language, the government reinforced Pakistan's ties to Indian linguistic traditions, which led to grievances among other ethnic groups who felt their languages and cultural heritage were marginalised. Over time, this linguistic dominance became a source of ethnic tensions, with some communities perceiving the Muhajirs as disproportionately influencing Pakistan's national identity. Conversely, Muhajirs have faced discrimination and violence due to these perceptions. To mitigate such ethnic tensions, many advocate for a more inclusive characterization of Pakistan's identity, one that equally values and integrates the diverse cultures of its various ethnic groups.

In addition to cultural and ethnic factors, Pakistan shares geographical connections with multiple regions: the Himalayas to the north, the Iranian Plateau to the west, the Thar Desert to the east, and a coastline along the Arabian Sea to the south. These geographical ties create natural links with neighboring countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and India.

Pakistan also has historical connections to Central Asia and the Middle East. Throughout history, it has been part of various Central Asian and Middle Eastern cultural and imperial spheres, including the Persian Empire, Arab Caliphates, Durrani Empire, and several Turko-Persian dynasties. As a Muslim-majority state—similar to nations in Central Asia and the Middle East (excluding Israel)—Pakistan is often included in discussions of the Greater Middle East, a geopolitical term that gained prominence during the George W. Bush administration. This term encompasses not only core Middle Eastern states but also regions with historical, cultural, geopolitical, and geographical ties to the Middle East, such as Morocco, Libya, Algeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Furthermore, Pakistan is situated within the socio-cultural spheres of Greater Iran and Greater Central Asia, highlighting its historical connections to Persianate traditions in both Central Asia and the Middle East. Recognising these historical and cultural links, UNESCO defined Central Asia in 1978 to include both Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasising the intertwined heritage of these regions.

Pakistan's connections to Central Asia and the Middle East are further underscored by its active membership in several regional organisations. Notably, it is part of the [Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program[|Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program]] and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which comprises Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Central Asian republics. Additionally, Pakistan has established a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, enhancing its economic ties with this region, with which it shares naval borders. Furthermore, Pakistan plays an active role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which includes Iran and four of the five Central Asian republics, reinforcing its strategic and economic relationships in these areas.

The classification of Pakistan and Afghanistan within the Indian subcontinent has recently been influenced by the concept of Akhanṇḍa Bhārata—a vision that advocates for the unification of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and other neighboring regions into a single political entity known as Bhārata or Bhāratavarṣa. This notion raises concerns among Pakistanis and Afghans, who argue that categorising their countries strictly within the Indian subcontinent could be perceived as an endorsement of historical claims that challenge their sovereignty. Consequently, they emphasise the necessity of recognising and highlighting Pakistan and Afghanistan's connections to Central Asia and the Middle East to counter narratives that may undermine their national identities and independence.

Water resources[edit]

Main articles: Water resources management in Pakistan and Water supply and sanitation in Pakistan
Pakistan is the fifteenth most water stressed country in the world.

Hydrological power serves as a significant renewable resource for Pakistan, contributing substantially to the country's energy needs. Following the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, facilitated by the World Bank, water distribution was established such that India would utilize the waters of the Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas rivers, while Pakistan would have access to the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers. As part of this agreement, Pakistan was tasked with constructing two major dams—Tarbela and Mangla—alongside five barrages, eight link canals, and one gated siphon. The treaty stipulated that India would finance 60% of these projects, while Pakistan was responsible for the remaining 40%. In addition to hydropower, Pakistan is considering the development of wind turbines to meet its electricity demands, and solar power is gradually gaining traction, although it remains limited in scale.

The largest river in Pakistan is the [[Indus Rive], which originates in Tibet/China and enters Pakistan through the illegally occupied region of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is under dispute. The Indus River system is divided into two primary plains. The Upper Indus Plain extends from northern Pakistan to Mithankot. The river has tributaries on both its western and eastern sides. The eastern tributaries include the Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas rivers, which flow through Punjab and converge at Panjnad, where they form the Panjnad River. On the western side, the tributaries comprise the Swat, Kabul, Kurram, Tochi, Gomal, and Zhob rivers, which join the Indus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). At Mithankot, these tributaries meet the Indus River, after which the Indus continues alone through the Lower Indus Plain. This plain stretches from Mithankot to Thatta, where the Indus River empties into the Indian Ocean, forming what is known as the Indus Delta.

Suffix of regions and towns[edit]

Parts of region and settlement names:

International agreements[edit]

Pakistan is a party to several international agreements related to environment and climate, the most prominent among them are:

Treaties and Agreements
Specific Regions and Seas Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution (MARPOL 73/78)
Atmosphere and Climate Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, Nuclear Test Ban
Biodiversity, Environment, and Forests Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Wetlands, Marine Life Conservation
Wastes Hazardous Wastes
Rivers Indus Waters Treaty

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Urdu: جغرافیۂ پاکِستان‎; ISO: Juġarāfiyā-Pākistāna; Devanagari: जुग़राफ़िया-पाकिस्तान

Read also[edit]

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